Compact, powerful and silent

EHEIM compact ON is the compact and yet powerful aquarium pump. Available in eight sizes, for flow rates from 170 to 12000 liters per hour.

The EHEIM compact ON aquarium pump is characterized by its name through a compact design and is thanks to the included accessory bag appropriate for versatile use – the EHEIM compact ON 2100-5000 can also be modified for the use outside of the water. Thanks to the high quality material it is also possible to use them without problems in marine water.

For even more flexibility, the flow rate is adjustable for all models, except for the EHEIM compact ON 5000/9000/12000. EHEIM compact ON 300 is already appropriate starting from 170 liters per hour, EHEIM compact ON 600 starting from 250 liters, EHEIM compact ON 1000 starting from 400 liters, EHEIM compact ON 2100 starting from 1400 liters and EHEIM compact ON 3000 starting from 1800 liters. EHEIM compact ON 5000/9000/12000 is designed for a flow rate of 5000/9000/12000 liters per hour.

Compared to the pumps of the EHEIM compact/compact+ series the power consumption was again improved by up to 50%. Also the delivery head is presentable and makes the pumps powerful enough also for the use in the filter basin.

In order to guarantee a silent operation of the pumps, various measures have been taken like for example choosing a combination of ceramic axis and ceramic cover at the wing part of the EHEIM compact ON 2100 and 3000. This also guarantees a long service life of the pumps.
A high security standard has been attached like to all other EHEIM products as well as for the aquarium enthusiast as for the aquarium inhabitants. The cables are characterized by a thicker insulation and to the benefit of the aquarium inhabitants only materials which do not dispense toxic substances into the water, have been used.

The use in and outside the aquarium is possible for all pumps of the EHEIM compact ON 2100 series.

Advantages of the EHEIM compact ON

• Successor of the compact and compact+ series
• Fastening by means of robust suction cups
• Including accessories such as suction basket and threaded coupling
• Silent due to ceramic bearing (EHEIM compact ON 2100/3000/5000/9000/12000)
• High pump performance at low power consumption
• compact ON 5000/9000/12000 as electronic version for more efficiency

Compatibility

1,800 to 3,000 litres an hour, adjustable. The 3000 is one of the compactON sizes that takes a flow controller, so you set it anywhere between those two figures rather than being stuck at the headline number. EHEIM publish 55 W at 50 Hz, a maximum delivery head of 2.7 m and a suction-side hose diameter of 19 mm.

It fits Indian mains without an adapter. EHEIM build the European compactON for 220–240 V at 50 Hz, which is what comes out of the wall here. The cable is 1.95 m; measure from the pump position to the socket before you assume that reaches, because you must not run it through an extension that ends up sitting in a wet cabinet.

Body size: 70 mm wide, 109 mm deep, 142 mm high. Worth checking against the sump chamber or the space behind the rockwork before you buy, since a pump that will not physically sit where you need it is no use at any flow rate.

Freshwater is confirmed; marine is not, quite. EHEIM’s description of the compactON says the material quality means the pumps can be used in salt water without problems, but the specification table for this individual model ticks freshwater and leaves the sea-water row empty. Those are both EHEIM’s, and they do not agree. We are not going to resolve it for them — if this pump is going into a marine system, ask us first and we will get it confirmed before you order.

Setup & Use

In the tank or out of it. The 2100 and 3000 can be run submerged or dry-mounted outside the tank. Submerged, it goes below water level on the base or the inside wall, held by the suction cups. Dry-mounted, it screws to a stable surface and the pump cover is swapped for the external-use cover so an inlet hose can be connected — EHEIM’s manual takes you through it in five steps, and it is worth reading them before you start rather than after.

Cut the connector to your hose, not the other way round. The threaded connecting piece is a stepped cone. You saw it off at the step that matches your hose diameter, screw it to the pump and push the hose on. Cutting at the wrong step is not recoverable, so measure first.

It starts the instant it is plugged in. There is no switch. Have the pump where you want it and under water before the plug goes in, and pull the plug to stop it.

If it stops on its own, let it cool. EHEIM’s fault table gives a thermal cut-out as the usual reason: unplug, leave it about an hour, plug it back in. If the flow has simply fallen off, the flow controller is normally the dirty part rather than the impeller.

Cleaning. Take the pump out, undo the two side screws, pull the pump cover off the front, pull the impeller out with its two bearing bushes, rinse everything under running water and reassemble. No hard tools, no aggressive cleaners, and nothing from this pump goes in a dishwasher.

What’s in the Box

• The compactON 3000 pump
• Suction cups (the suction devices that screw into the motor body)
• Suction basket
• Threaded connecting piece, to be cut to your hose diameter
• Accessory bag — EHEIM’s phrase — holding the parts for the external-use conversion

EHEIM do not publish an itemised packing list for the compactON, so the above is assembled from the accessories they name on the product page and the parts their manual has you fit during commissioning. If you are buying this specifically to run it outside the tank, check the accessory bag against the manual’s external-use section as soon as you open it, and tell us straight away if anything is short.

Warranty & Support

This product carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty from the date of purchase, covering material and manufacturing defects. EHEIM excludes wear parts — impeller, sealing rings, hoses and filter media — along with glass damage, units that have been opened, and any unit fitted with non-EHEIM parts.

Warranty support is handled by us directly. Message our WhatsApp support with your order number and we will diagnose the fault first — most cases are solved by replacing a single part, so you rarely need to send the whole unit. If the item does need to come back, it ships to our Delhi or Pune warehouse, whichever one served your order, and courier cost in both directions is borne by the customer. Your GST invoice is valid proof of purchase for the claim.

Returns & Replacement

Returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery, provided the item is unused and in its original packaging. Manufacturer-sealed items cannot be returned once the seal is broken, and sale-priced items are not refundable.

If your item arrives defective or damaged, message us on WhatsApp with your order number — or email us, if you would rather — and we will replace it. Approved replacements are delivered within 3 to 5 business days. Transit damage is covered by insurance on every shipment. If tracking shows delivered but nothing reached you, tell us within 72 hours, which is the reporting window Indian couriers allow. Damage caused during installation or use is not covered; replacement spares for such cases are chargeable.

Full terms are on our Cancellation & Returns page.